What can I do?
I have 2 kids one whose 5,the other 7 and they both have a big list of presents.
But I can't afford to buy any of those presents or any christmas food.
I can only just about normal food.
I can't let them down but I have no way out-please help!
We have no family or friends to help out or anything
2007-12-06 05:58:39 · 47 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Beth-That's really unkind.
If I was trying to scam you I would be coming here saying "this is my address,please send your money here" and I'm not,I'm asking for advice.
To the person who said buy a game boy:
I couldn't possibly afford that!
2007-12-06 06:05:05 · update #1
Contact these agencies, they can help you.
http://www.toysfortots.org/
http://www.prayer-warriors.org/Families_help.htm
Also your church should be able to help find something if they can't help you themselves. Get on that phone and you'll get help for Christmas. God Bless You! ;-)
2007-12-06 06:46:57 · answer #1 · answered by Tony 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christmas isn't about gifts you buy - it's about the gift of Christ. So this may be a good time for your kids to learn that you can still have a fantastic Christmas without material gifts. I know that doesn't make you feel better though. I went through this with my mom when I was little. She was a single parent and there were a couple years where there just wasn't any money.
Talk to them and tell them that this Christmas is going to be different and why. Tell them you guys need to be each others gifts and make your own gifts and celebration (even with normal food). Take them to see your town's lights and decorations, make hot chocolate, make Christmas ornaments from paper or whatever you have...watch Christmas shows til late. There will be better Christmas' in your future. Maybe Christmas can come in February or something if things change - imagine their happy surprise then. I know it's really hard though and heartbreaking to tell your kids.
Also check with local food pantries or Salvation Army some of them delivery holiday dinners or can help with some toys.
2007-12-06 06:12:03 · answer #2 · answered by WutheringHeights73 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have read all the other replies and think one thing was not stressed enough. Christmas is about giving and you need to take this opportunity to teach your kids this very thing. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity.
Sit your kids down and talk honestly with them about the fact that you can't afford to spend money. Tell them that you need to think of innovative ideas to make Christmas presents for each other. Then plan this operation thoroughly with your children. The kids may be disappointed at first, but the principles they will learn from this experience will last a lifetime, and they will always remember the Christmas that they had no money. If your kids can learn this valuable lesson, they will be streaks ahead of other children in life, who so often take everything for granted. You have a chance to give your kids the MOST precious gift of all. Also, I know you may think I am crazy. But if you can save $5 or $10 by missing out on something this week, take your kids to a wishing tree, choose a name, and buy a child a small gift. And make your kids part of this experience. It will show your kids that no matter how bad things seem, there is always someone worse off than you. And unless you already live in a third world country and have no place to lay your head at night, there are definitelky others worse off than you. Things have a habit of coming back to us. Give and it shall be given unto you. Just try it and see.. It is good to focus on others also, even though I know you are in great need.
(Just so you know, I am speaking form experience. I am a solo mum raising four kids alone. I am in debt and also struggling financially. But use every opportunity to teach my children about the important things in life).
2007-12-06 06:47:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Honey, I'm truly sorry you're broke at Christmas - with little kids to boot.
This is a good time, however, to teach your children that Christmas is about loving each other and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The kids really and truly need to learn that Christmas is NOT about "he who has the most stuff at the end of the day - wins!" or commercials that promise happiness and joy if you have this or that toy or shoe or other trinket. It's about each other and the love you and your family share - no matter how fat or lean the purse is.
How about looking at your budget and determining what you CAN spend on Christmas (starting with food) and then having the 2 kids pare their lists down to one gift that the entire family can enjoy?
And as others have suggested - go to the Salvation Army or other charity.
OH and by the way - Go easy on those who cry "Scam!" I used to work in social services and witnessed first hand people who went from charity to church to program getting "help" for the children.
More often than not those gifts wound up injected into their arms.
While I know in my heart of hearts that's not your way - believe me - I've seen others ruin things for everyone. It's sad. I pray for them.
2007-12-06 06:21:17 · answer #4 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to hear that. If you can't afford stuff, you can't and you're right to make sure they have food, shelter, and clothing first.
Can you make them something? Not sure what your kids want or are interested in, but there is a decent chance they can find something homemade fun and worthwhile. It also shows you didn't just "cancel" Christmas. If you search on the web, you might be able to find things that would work that you could create. If you have a daughter, would a handmade doll work?
http://www.allcrafts.net/dolls.htm#freeprojects
Maybe make a kite?
http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html
Have you got any dollar stores around? You might be able to find a couple of things there--if you can get out for under $5 for some kind of specialty food(s) and a couple of presents, could you swing that?
Maybe you can do something to make a few bucks to get something--baby sitting doesn't pay well but as we approach the holidays, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find someone who wants to go shopping all day or out at night and get $20. I'm not suggesting you've got time on your hands or such, but with some creativity and especially if you have good discount stores around, you might get enough to offer a modest Christmas to the kids.
Good luck.
2007-12-06 06:08:18 · answer #5 · answered by heyteach 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can do two things. First of all, be honest with your family. Talk to your partner than sit down together with the kids and tell them that because you don't have much money this Christmas you can't buy expensive toys and food. What you can do is plan to have fun together doing inexpensive or free things. Spend time with your kids, play board games, read to them, share a DVD, go for walks and look at animal and bird life. The gift of your time is so precious. So many parents give their kids material things but not time and attention.
The second thing is to see if you and your partner can get some part-time work to make money for a few little extras. Lots of stores and businesses need extra help this time of year, from serving customers to unloading and deliveries.
I wish you a happy Christmas.
2007-12-06 06:30:48 · answer #6 · answered by Helen M 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My husband and I have a one gift policy with our kids, and it has to be within a certain price range. We also give them stockings, that's their "Santa" present - maybe see if your kids can ask for things you can afford. Do you have things you can sell to make a little money? Check your basement and have a winter garage sale. Or, as many have suggested, contact your local charities.
Also, I would be honest with your kids about the situation. There is no use in hiding it, you'll only build up their false expectations even more. Tell them the truth, remind them of less comercial meanings of Christmas, and ask them to help, to get through this as a family. Remember, at this Christmas season, some people don't even have family to fall back on.
2007-12-06 06:10:19 · answer #7 · answered by emmyfair 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are several local charities that can help. Salvation army and goodwill have toy drives for children. Churches also have things to help kids have enjoyable Christmases.
Hopefully, your children are coming up in an environment that they will not be let down just because of presents. Be a loving parent, and try to make the best of it. Spend lots of time with the little ones over the holiday.
Why no family or friends? Confused by that one.
2007-12-06 06:04:00 · answer #8 · answered by falcon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can swing a present or two a piece and then concentrate on Christmas being about family then you should be fine. And watch the sales because you can get turkey cheap around the holidays. I got a turkey for Thanksgiving for 39 cents a pound, it was 12 pounds and less than five dollars with potatoes and stuffing and a can of craberry sauce I don't think I spent $20 and we ate it for 3 nights and even then we had enough leftover to make turkey tetrazzini, potato cakes out of the mashed potates and turkey soup out of the bones.
2007-12-06 06:35:20 · answer #9 · answered by mrskerlin 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make your normal dinner and spend time with the kids. You just need to explain to them that you would like to buy the toys they want but you don't have the money. If this is the life they will lead with you, it's time you explain it to them because it will happen every Christmas. You can't depend on getting presents and food every year from other people. You will let them down so I hope you haven't been giving them false hope for a fabulous Christmas and then blame others as to why it is dismal. Good luck.
2007-12-06 06:11:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Contact your nearest Salvation Army, United Way, Toys for Tots, and other local charities. I know the Salvation Army provides food baskets.
Don't feel bad about asking for help. I work for a Domestic Violence Shelter and all week long we've been getting donations of food and gifts for our clients Christmases, especially the children. The most touching thing is many of them say we once helped them and they are giving back now that they can.
Note: I'm sorry you have to weed through the critical and nasty answers. It can't be a scam to ask for ideas and suggestions. People think they are so protected because they are doing okay. That can change, jobs can be lost, medical expenses, deaths, and many other things can INSTANTLY change someones financial security. I have a nice life, a good income, and savings but when I see questions like this I think:
There but for the grace of God goes I.
Have a Merry Christmas and hug those children for me.
2007-12-06 06:04:39 · answer #11 · answered by Karrose 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋